"Midnight in Paris" is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded in 1962 for the Columbia label. The album features performances of compositions inspired by or associated with Paris…

"Blues In Orbit" captures the essence of a late-night recording date that was as much a loose jam as a formal studio date, balancing the spontaneity of the former and the technical polish of the latter. If you're just getting into jazz, this album is highly recommended as a great way to initiate your collection

The experimental "Afro-Bossa" features Duke Ellington pushing his talented group to their limits. The jazz master tosses around the forms he knows so well. Other players include Cat Anderson, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney, and Cootie Williams. There is plenty of cornet, violin and plunger-muted trumpets.

Ellington Uptown (also released as Hi-Fi Ellington Uptown) is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded for the Columbia label in 1951 & 1952. Three factors stand out in the interpretation of Ellington's music on this album: Betty Roche's vocal on a multi movement version of "Take The 'A' Train", the addition of Louie Bellson on drums ("Skin Deep"), and the updating of old Ellington material that is made new and fresh. Jazz critic and historian Ted Gioia notes that the work is among "Ellington's more visionary projects" and is "a masterpiece by almost any measure".

A follow-up album to "Back to Back: Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges Play the Blues". Ellington takes the back seat to saxophonist Hodges in this jam session album, only playing in three of the nine tracks. The album features Hodges, a prominent member of Ellington's legendary band, backed by Ellington and Billy Strayhorn on piano among other notable musicians. The ablum includes works, "Let's Fall in Love", "Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me)", and "Going Up".

Recorded during the last decade of his long tenure with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, this album finds the great alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges' musical gifts not only intact but stronger than ever. Featuring the Ellington band - with Jimmy Jones on piano and Billy Strayhorn as bandleader and arranger - it is a fascinating program of Ellington remakes, including tome of the orchestra's most familiar numbers, all of which have been given subtle new orchestrations by Strayhorn and melodious new interpretations by Hodges.

One of the giants of the alto saxophone, Johnny Hodges was perhaps the most important soloist and sideman in Duke Ellington's orchestra from 1928 up to Hodges' death in 1970. The self-taught player made many solo forays during his long career - one of his '50s outfits included a young John Coltrane - but history remembers Hodges for his virtuosic sidemanship, particularly his sensitive rendering of ballads.